Bridle-bit.



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PATENTED MAY 16, 1905. lB. LAMARQUB. BRIDLE BIT.

APPLIOATION FILED AUG. 27, 190s.

' MEETS-SHEET 1 PATENTED MAY 16, 1905.

B. LAMARQUE. BRIDLE BIT.

APPLwATxoN FILED AUG; 27, 1903.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

Patented May 16, 1905.

PATENT OEEICE.

BERNARD LAMARQUE, OF PREIGNAC, FRANCE.

BRIDLE-BIT.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent No. 789,742, dated May 16, 1905.

Application filed August 27, 1903. Serial No. 170,977.

To @ZZ whom t may con/cern:

Be it known that I, BERNARD LAMARQUE, a citizen of the French Republic, and a resident of Preignac, Gironde, France, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Bridle-Bits, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in bridle-bits, the object of which is to allow of managing the most restive and vicious horses and preventing them from bolting or of stopping them when they have bolted.

In the annexed drawings, Figure lis a front elevation of the improved bit. Fig. 2 is a perspective view thereof. Fig. 3 is a vertical section through one of the cheek-pieces, and Fig. 4 is a similar View of a modification.

The improved bit is constructed with hollow cheek-pieces or branches A A', to which are connected rotatable springpressed rods B B, having wings or arms L L', the springs being of any suitable kind and visible or invisible. These wings may be connected at their free ends by a light leather nose-band o and are adapted to be moved by the reins or guides onto the animals nostrils, which they close, finally bearing on the cartilage in the form of a T, which terminates the subnasal bone. This position is indicated by dotted lines in Fig. 1.

Referring to Fig. 3, the spiral spring S is situated in a chamber C, formed in the upper part of the cheek-piece A and iixed in this chamber at one end, whereas its other end engages into a slot D in the rod B. The disk F and counter-disk G, held by the pin H, prevent the spring from rising, and the cap I hermetically closes the chamber to prevent oxidation of its interior. Themovement of the wings is limited by the stop E.

In the modification shown in Fig. A the cheek-pieces and rotatable rod are provided with a visible spring. The spring R is iiat and is ixed by means of a screw V to an arm T, integral with the hollow cheek-piece A. The upper end of the rod B has a groove M, into which engages a screwP for limiting the movement of the wing and forming a stop.

The two kinds of stop described can be used together, if desired.

Precision in the adjustment of the parts in the construction ofthe bit is absolutely necessary, this precision guaranteeing its action.

The principal advantages of the improved bit are the following: It renders the driver or rider absolutely master of the horse, which cannot bolt, and the horse can be stopped without eifort the moment it tries to get out of hand.

When the horse has got to know the bit, it will obey the least pressure. The horses mouth will always remain fresh if he is only ridden on the snai'lie. Recourse to the bit need only be had if the snafile is insufficient. The bit affords protection to the horse against riders or drivers with heavy hands, jerks being weakened by springs which check and limit the pull.

The bit allows of instantaneously raising horses which are weak on their forelegs or addicted to stumbling.

The improved bit allows of dispensing with double guides for hard-mouthed horses and enables a woman or child to drive such horses without the least fear of their bolting.

The bit can be used with saddle or harness, its action being the same in either case.

I declare that what I claim is- A bridle-bit comprising in combination lateral hollow cheek-pieces having chambers formed at the upper ends thereof, rods adapted to rotate in said cheek-pieces, and to be actuated by the rider or driver, wings or arms connected to said rotatable rods and adapted to be pressed against the animals nostrils on rotation of said rods, means for limiting the movement of the rods and wings, and springs within said chambers adapted to act on the rods to keep the wings normally out of action substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have signed this speciication in the presence of two witnesses.

BERNARD LAMARQUE.,

Witnesses:

I. DESCURERZ, LoUIs J. SNEo'r. 

